IOG/ECB Foundation Course for Cricket Groundsmen Spring

Tuesday I staged the IOG/ECB Cricket Foundation Course at the ground it was very wet but I had covered the pitch we were to work on.

 Ian Mather -Brewster -IOG- and myself arranged the course so that we could spend maximum time out on the ground. Ian went through the introduction and the theory first , giving time for the rain to clear. On a fine day I would have all the machinery and equipment out by the time the candidates arrived but despite me being on site at 7-00am that was not possible it rained until about 11-00 am.

 

Then the sun came out.

As the course is a practical hands on one, here I can bee seen giving operational instruction to one of the candidates.

A couple of the guys mowing the pitch.

Simultaneous raking and mowing- or is that synchronised???

Clippings on the left "rakings" on the right, look at the colour difference. We have to rake out all this rubbish or it will absorb ball energy, making for a slow and more than likely low pitch. Raking  is one of the most important parts of pitch preparation and is one that is often over looked at club level.

You must rake out your pitches!

I made sure we left plenty of grass on as it is early in the season so it will add a little protection to the soft surface, also this is to be the under 11/13  twenty one yard pitch and as such will be cut out from April till the end of July.

Marking out with frame and strings to make sure every thing lines up and is to size.

Demonstration of filling the bowlers foot holes.

Yet another batch of informed and inspired groundsmen pass through the gates of Kirkstall Educational Cricket Club

Thanks to the IOG ( Ian Mather-Brewster) and the Local Cricket Board.

See you in August for the Autumn and Winter Module.

A long  hard worthwhile day starting at 7-00am and finishing at around 9-00 pm after a short club meeting.

No sleeping aids required.

Hodgy